EDF Energy Networks director of capital programme Barry Hatton (left) with project manager David Hoyle inside the new electricity substation.
05 July 2010
Cambridge’s state-of-the-art electricity substation at Arbury has won a double commendation in a prestigious award scheme.
Judges at the Institution of Civil Engineers’ East of England Merit Awards 2010 granted EDF Energy Networks’ substation the rating of Commended, in both the Physical Achievement and Technical Excellence categories.
The innovative substation off Kings Hedges Road, Arbury, was built as part of a three-year project which saw EDF Energy Networks invest £20milllion in the electricity network in the Cambridge area to cater for future demand. During the last 15 years, the area’s electrical demand had been above average for the Eastern region and more growth is forecast.
New high voltage underground cables were also laid to connect the substation to the electricity distribution network and it started operating last summer (2009) to deliver power to thousands of homes and businesses in the city.
Designing and building the substation on a small urban site close to existing high-voltage overhead power lines brought significant technical challenges and it also had to complement other elegant architecture at the nearby Cambridge Science Park.
Cambridge’s state-of-the-art electricity substation at Arbury has won a double commendation in a prestigious award scheme.
Judges at the Institution of Civil Engineers’ East of England Merit Awards 2010 granted EDF Energy Networks’ substation the rating of Commended, in both the Physical Achievement and Technical Excellence categories.
The innovative substation off Kings Hedges Road, Arbury, was built as part of a three-year project which saw EDF Energy Networks invest £20milllion in the electricity network in the Cambridge area to cater for future demand. During the last 15 years, the area’s electrical demand had been above average for the Eastern region and more growth is forecast.
The award-winning electricity substation at Arbury in Cambridge.
New high voltage underground cables were also laid to connect the substation to the electricity distribution network and it started operating last summer (2009) to deliver power to thousands of homes and businesses in the city.
Designing and building the substation on a small urban site close to existing high-voltage overhead power lines brought significant technical challenges and it also had to complement other elegant architecture at the nearby Cambridge Science Park.
The building’s innovative design exceeded environmental and planning requirements. It also capitalised on the latest green technology – for example its curved roof is designed to direct cooler air downwards, to naturally reduce the temperature inside the building which houses electrical equipment.
Director of Capital Programme Barry Hatton said: “This flagship substation was built to a unique design and it is something which we are very proud of. Being commended twice in these prestigious awards is testament to the hard work of the whole team involved, from the design stage through to delivery and the substation’s continued good performance today.”
Over the next financial year, EDF Energy Networks is investing nearly £459million across its three electricity distribution networks in the East of England, South East and London to ensure they are reliable for existing customers and also cater for future demand.
Ends
For further information, please contact Tracey Sparling in the EDF Energy press office on 08701 962504.
Notes to editors:
EDF Energy:
EDF Energy is one of the UK’s largest energy companies, producing around one-fifth of the nation's electricity from its nuclear, coal and gas power stations, as well as combined heat and power plants and wind farms. The company provides power to a quarter of the UK’s population via its electricity distribution networks and supplies gas and electricity to more than 5.5 million business and residential customers. It is the number one supplier of electricity to major business in the UK.
EDF Energy’s safe and secure operation of its eight existing nuclear power stations at sites across the country makes it the UK’s largest generator of low carbon electricity. EDF Energy is also leading the UK's nuclear renaissance and has published plans to build four new nuclear reactors, subject to the right investment framework. These new plants would generate enough low carbon electricity for about 40% of Britain’s homes. They would make an important contribution to the UK’s future needs for clean, secure and affordable energy. The project is already creating business and job opportunities for British companies and workers.
Through Our Climate and Social Commitments EDF Energy has launched the biggest environmental and social programme of any UK energy company. EDF is the official energy utilities partner and sustainability partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The company is also helping its customers and others use energy more sustainably through products and initiatives such as Read, Reduce, Reward and Team Green Britain.
EDF Energy is part of EDF Group, one of Europe’s largest power companies. Following the integration with British Energy in 2009, the company employs nearly 20,000 people at locations across the UK.
ICE:
The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) was founded in 1818 to ensure professionalism in civil engineering. It represents 80,000 qualified and student civil engineers in the UK and across the globe. The ICE has long worked with the government of the day to help it to achieve its objectives, and has worked with industry to ensure that construction and civil engineering remain major contributors to the UK economy and UK exports.
For more details see www.ice.org.uk